Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Left: United States Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson (left) exchanges pleasantries with Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Sakurai and his wife, Kinuko, at their farewell reception held at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston, on Monday, October 2.   Right: The ever-photogenic Michelle Bovell (left) chats with the equally lovely Dr. Barbara Munske at the Japanese Ambassador's farewell reception. - Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

This year has seen the departure of various familiar faces on the diplomatic circuit, and Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Sakurai and his wife Kinuko will be two more.

So, to bid his colleagues and various individuals from different sectors 'sayonara', the ambassador hosted a farewell reception at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

There was only one speech as the ambassador wanted his guests to enjoy the camaraderie and the occasion more than listening to too many words. He said that Jamaica had been good to him and his family and that they had an "irie time", which elicited laughter from the audience. He further joked that it was ironic he was returning to Japan at a time when the royal family was also going through an irie time with the birth of the couple's first son.

The Ambassador said that the three years spent in Jamaica were filled with unforgettable memories, including in 2004 when both countries celebrated 40 years of diplomatic relations. He marvelled at the resilience of the Jamaican people after the infamous Hurricane Ivan, and then brought back the humour when he related how Hurricane Wilma followed his wife and himself to Mexico, spoiling their vacation.

He spoke of the water supply implementation project which had finally begun (initiated by his government) and had special words for Pearl Wright, who received one of Japan's highest honours, the Order of The Rising Sun, for spreading the art of ikebana.

So, after 41 and a half years in service to his country, the Ambassador and Mrs. Sakurai will be retiring to their homeland.

Guests included Drs. Dhiru and Laura Tanna; Heinz Simonitsch; Chilean Ambassador Alfonso Silva and wife, Ada; Pauline and Loxley Lindo; Merrick and Camille Needham; Jorge and Susan Insausti; Col. Trevor MacMillan and wife, Peaches McDonald; Colombian Ambassador Dr. Kent Francis and wife, Cecelia; Susan Alexander; Joseph A. Matalon and Bernadette McKinley; Ambassador Richard Bernal; French Ambassador Francis Hurtut and Honorary Consul to Barbados, Winston Bayley.